Smalling or Jones - who goes?

[villain]

Smalling has to go. 5 goals conceded last year as a direct result of his indecisiveness, poor positioning or poor reading of the game. That's 4 too many at the level United want to be. If we want to stay on the fringes of a top 6 he is an ideal player.

All of our players have had goals conceded a direct result of their actions throughout the season - what a ridiculous post.

 

[Minimalist]

Smalling has a purpose - limited as it might be.

I don't like Jones. I never have - I openly admit my bias. He's dumb as feck, awful under pressure and generally a fecking clown of a player. United should be fielding better than Phil Jones. I won't even mention his ridiculous amount of missed games through injury.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

I think Jose would rather sell Jones, mainly due to his fitness issues. However, for someone to sign Jones, he'd have to be fit at the time and I don't think he would be so it'll be Smalling by default

 

[The No.10!]

Purely on the basis of ability and potential, I would still like to see Jones stay out of the two. Smalling looks like he was made for West Ham, or just Ham for that matter, but Jones, I guess I still cut him some slack solely due to SAF's last interview regarding him and his future at United!

 

[All 3 United]

Smalling. He's just not a very good footballer.

 

[MadDogg]

Those 3 months were better than anything Smalling and Jones did in their 7-8 years here. That's why.

Jones yes. Smalling? It wasn't even close to being as good as Smalling was for the first half of the season in 15/16. Arguably even Smallings first season for us was around the same level.

 

[Escobar]

I am not sure. Jones injury record is even worse than Smalling's but he rushed himself back to be available while Jose had some issues with Smalling's injury. Both can't be starters, that much is clear

 

[Rake]

We should keep Smalling simply because Jones can't be counted on.

 

[marlowe78]

Jones.

Smalling has his limitations but IMO he is a much more reliable defender than Jones. I think Jones is regarded by some as the better footballer simply because he's out of the squad so often that he hasn't gotten enough chances to feck up like Smalling has.

 

[Jib]

both

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Both. Replace them with Tuanzebe and Fosu Mensah

 

[roseguy64]

I am not sure. Jones injury record is even worse than Smalling's but he rushed himself back to be available while Jose had some issues with Smalling's injury. Both can't be starters, that much is clear

And Smalling played while injured for Mourinho so...

 

[Angelinho]

Jones - rarely fit when needed - questionable whether any one would bid for him given his fitness record.

 

[We need an rvn]

Jones without a shawdow of a doubt. Been injured just way too many times and has hardly improved anyway since he arrived. Wouldn't mind if both went mind you and we got a 2nd centre half in as well our Swede

 

[Sandikan]

Who goes? Neither.

Why would either go, when we have Rojo injured, and Jose clearly doesn't like Blind there too much.

Start the season with Bailly and Lindelof and see if either can stay injury free. If not, we're soon back into one of Smalling/Jones and knowing them, both will be out at the same time for a long time.

 

[drmuji]

Smalling has a purpose - limited as it might be.

I don't like Jones. I never have - I openly admit my bias. He's dumb as feck, awful under pressure and generally a fecking clown of a player. United should be fielding better than Phil Jones. I won't even mention his ridiculous amount of missed games through injury.

Exactly .... somehow I see him and Evans as having similar careers. They both had potential.... But then you see them play

 

[TehRed]

Blind seems like he might be more likely to leave but I think that depends on what happens with our left back options. Jose doesn't seem to fancy giving him games as a DM, he's fallen behind Darmian at left back, a lot could depend on Shaw's status going forward, and any possible left back signings. Signing Lindelof means his chances are probably diminishing. His versatility might be the only thing that saves him in the end.

But of the two of Jones and Smalling, I think that Smalling's games for England may save him. Jones is pretty far away from the international setup with the emergence of Keane and his injury troubles are surely a constant source of worry too. Smalling will be useful when you require a player who can make a lot of aerial challenges, Jones less so.

 

[Mickson]

You're either ten years old or drunk... or both.
Did you actually watch us last season?

I did, and I've watched Rojo last season, and the season before. He is a shit footballer. Half a season dosen't change that. And what absout all his tackles? With a decent ref he would've been sent off 2 och 3 times. My opinion is that he should be the one leaving. Smalling and Jones is better and also; they're home grown.

Lindelöf, Bailly, Jones, Smalling, Tuanzebe (Blind, Fosu-Mensah) for me.

 

[a_devil_inside]

Probably keep both until January at least to allow Rojo back.
Rather lose Jones than Smalling though, as Jones is always injured and seems to be clumsy. I like Smalling but he's getting worse with grabbing shirts, if he can get rid of that he'll be good again, plus he comes in handy on corners.

 

[Reiver]

I think Jones is the better footballer but his injury record is terrible so if one is going it should be him. Can't stand Smalling though and would like to see us get rid of him too.

 

[devil in me]

Jones. Rarely fit, and when he is he is useless. Having said that theres not between him and Smalling, who is a marginally better player. We should seriously listen to any offers that come in for either.

 

[ThanksBoss26]

Nevere realized that Jones is on his original contract, didn't he sign a new one some time ago? If that is the case, he is a free agent now?

Jones signed a 4 year deal under van Gaal in 2015. Contracted until 2019.

 

[Oaencha]

I did, and I've watched Rojo last season, and the season before. He is a shit footballer. Half a season dosen't change that. My opinion is that he should be the one leaving. Smalling and Jones is better and also; they're home grown.

Lindelöf, Bailly, Jones, Smalling, Tuanzebe (Blind, Fosu-Mensah) for me.

Behave. Rojo has only just been given an extended run in his best position (LCB) and he has looked very solid; albeit a bit rash. It's not his fault LVG shoehorned him in at LB/LWB where he clearly shouldn't be playing. Also, just saying 'he is a shit player' is just childish. At least back it up with some credible reasons.

 

[Revan]

Jones signed a 4 year deal under van Gaal in 2015. Contracted until 2019.

The only contract data I am finding is for the original one which was going to expire this summer and was on 50k/week. There is no way that he is on the same wage now, we have a tendancy yo give squad players 100k+/week (Lingard, Fellaini, Young). From some links (mirror shit), it says that the new contract is 80k/week.

 

[3KDré]

On one hand Jones is injured more but when he plays he is probably the better of the two in general. On the other Smalling is injured less, is more aerially dominant and is more experience but he's woeful on the ball.

I wouldn't mind either of them leaving. If I had to choose between the two to leave it would be Jones as Smalling is more likely to be fit to be a backup.

 

[Klopp_De_Klown]

Heads!!!

its Smalling

ok, ok, best out of 3. I'll flip it again

 

[lsd]

Both .. Why choose between two poor footballers when you can rid yourself of both of them ?

 

[dogwithabone]

Jones is a bit more useful in that he's more a utility player than Smalling and given that there isn't much difference between the two in their primary position of centre back I'd keep Jones and ditch Smalling.

 

[prtk0811]

None goes, we need quality as well as quantity in that area. Also 3 at the back system when played would fit 3 defenders in there so Idont expect anyone to leave.

 

[SteveW]

Had a good 3 months and then got injured. How does that make him better than Smalling and Jones?

Not true though. smalling is a better plsyer

 

[SteveW]

The idea of having Smalling as back up is amazing to be honest. he's a very good player. are we that good?

 

[VP89]

Jones should go - surprised it's been a debate for 6 pages.

 

[Mickson]

Behave. Rojo has only just been given an extended run in his best position (LCB) and he has looked very solid; albeit a bit rash. It's not his fault LVG shoehorned him in at LB/LWB where he clearly shouldn't be playing. Also, just saying 'he is a shit player' is just childish. At least back it up with some credible reasons.

How about my eyes? No composure, not good with the ball, weak in the air. He isn't very good. And he's proven that over and over. Six months of decent play doesen't really change that he's not a very good player. Also should be sent off pretty much every game he playes.

 

[izec]

Smalling should be an established top CB by now and take over Rooneys armband next season. Total disappointment, Jones is not better either, just younger

 

[Ole'sbodyguard]

Neither.

Rojo is unlikely to be fit for the start of the season and could well be out for quite a long period and we need 4 specialist centre backs to get through the first half of the season. I can't really comment on Lindelof but I really don't think there is much between Smalling, Jones and Rojo. People are favouring Rojo because he has had the most recent run of good form. I would keep all of them and review the position in January.

People talking about Blind need to consider he is probably going to be our first choice left back next season.

 

[Oaencha]

How about my eyes? No composure, not good with the ball, weak in the air. He isn't very good. And he's proven that over and over. Six months of decent play doesen't really change that he's not a very good player. Also should be sent off pretty much every game he playes.

That's a pretty ridiculous statement. There were two incidents where he should have been sent off but ultimately wasn't. Does that make Ramos or Pepe a shit player? Cause they could get sent off just as often.

You have either been watching a completely different player or you just can't profile a player. His composure and ball play are fine. So what if he isn't good in the air? Neither are Smalling, Jones or Blind.

 

[red_devil83]

Neither. Jones is awesome. Nobody else in world football can do what he does.

 

[Green_Red]

He's going to be our third or fourth choice option at centre half. He's an absolutely brilliant option to have. Some you lot, honestly.

I don't know what games you do be watching mate, he's fecking brutal, nowhere near good enough for our aspirations.

 

[Green_Red]

Yet he was selected over Jones in the EL final. I prefer Jones personally.

Both aren't good enough but Id rather keep Jones. Less error prone. Smalling is capable of switching off and causing us to concede. You can't have that in my opinion.

 

[Ødegaard]

Don't rate Smalling, but when we're talking backup position then he is good enough, Jones might be slightly better/all rounded, but he isn't reliable to be a backup. Therefor Jones needs to go.
This is of course assuming Mourinho thinks Tuanzebe is ready for a backup + cup role.